Learn how to do anything: How to Water Orchids

Orchids are becoming popular as houseplants, and many wonderful varieties can be found in nurseries and garden centers. In the wild, orchids often grow on trees, and their roots are exposed to sun and air as well as water. Potted orchids require a special watering technique that mimics their natural environment. Water orchids only sparingly, when their potting mix is almost dry.

Steps

Deciding When to Water

Water sparingly. No orchid variety needs to be watered every day. In fact, overwatering can cause an orchid's roots to rot and eventually die.^[1] Unlike many houseplants, orchids should only be watered when they begin to dry out. Watering only when they're almost dry mimics an orchid's natural environment.
- Some orchids have water-storing organs, and some do not. If you have a type of orchid that has the ability to store water, such as cattleyas or oncidiums, you should allow the orchid to completely dry out before watering. If you have a type of orchid that does not have water-storing organs, such as phalaenopsis or paphiopedilums, you should water the orchid before it is entirely dry.
- If you're not sure what type of orchid you have, plan to water the orchid when it is almost dry, but still has just a bit of moisture left.

Consider your climate. The frequency with which you water orchids is affected by the level of humidity in your climate, as well as the amount of sun the orchid gets and the temperature of the air. Since these factors vary according to region and household, there's no rule for how often to water an orchid. You'll have to develop a routine catered to your specific environment.
- If the temperature is cool in your home, your orchid will need to be watered less frequently than when the temperature is warm.
- If the orchid is in a sunny window, it will need to be watered more frequently than if you place it in a shadier spot.

See if the potting mix looks dry. This is the first indication that it might be time to water the orchid. Orchid potting mix is usually composed of bark or moss, and if it looks dry and dusty, it might be time to water. However, just looking at the potting mix won't give you an accurate enough indication as to whether it's time to water.

Lift the pot to check its weight. The pot will feel lighter when it's time to water the orchid. If it's heavy, that means there's still water in the pot. Over time, you'll get a sense of how heavy the pot feels when the orchid needs water versus how heavy it feels when it still has moisture inside.
- A pot that still contains moisture might look different, too. If your orchid is in a clay pot, it will look darker when it's still wet. If it's light in color, it might be time for a watering.

Do a finger test. This is the best way to determine whether an orchid needs more water. Stick your pinky finger into the potting mix, taking care not to disturb the orchid's roots. If you don't feel any moisture, or you feel just a little, it's time to water the orchid. If you feel moist potting mix right away, give it more time. When in doubt, you should wait an extra day.^[2]

Watering Correctly

Make sure the pot has drainage holes. You can't properly water an orchid unless it has holes through which the water can drain. Water sitting in the pot will cause the roots to rot, so it needs to be able to drain through the bottom. If you bought an orchid that came in an ornamental pot without holes, repot the orchid in one with adequate holes in the bottom. Use an orchid potting mix instead of regular potting soil.
- Use ice cube method if you don't care to repot. If you just want a quick way to water your orchid without having to deal with repotting, you can use the popular ice cube method. Put the equivalent of 1/4 cup of frozen water (usually about three medium ice cubes) on top of the potting mix. Let the ice cubes melt into the pot. Wait about a week before you do it again. This method is not optimal for the long-term health of the orchid, but it works if you don't want to repot.^[3]

Run the orchid under water. The easiest way to water an orchid is to hold it under a faucet and run it under room temperature water. If you have an attachment that allows you to diffuse the water, rather than just running it in one strong stream, that's better for the orchid. Water the orchid this way for a full minute, allowing the water to seep through the pot and come out the holes in the bottom.^[4]
- Do not use water that has been softened or treated with harsh chemicals. If you have a special orchid species, see if you can use distilled water or rainwater.
- The water should pour rapidly through the pot. If it seems to be getting stuck in the pot, the potting mix you're using might be too dense.
- After watering the orchid, check the weight of the pot so you'll be able to tell the difference when the pot gets lighter and the orchid is ready to be watered again.

Water in the morning or afternoon. That way the excess water will have plenty of time to evaporate before it gets dark. If water sits on the plant overnight, it can cause rotting to occur or leave the plant prone to diseases.
- If you see excess water sitting on the leaves, wipe it off with a paper towel.
- A few minutes after watering, check the saucer and empty it out so no water sits near the orchid.

Tips

When an orchid is blooming or putting out lots of new leaves and roots, it will use more water.

When an orchid is resting between bloom periods, it will use less water. This is generally late fall and early to mid-winter, depending on the species.

Orchid medium is coarse and porous allowing for good airflow to the orchid roots but still allowing them to retain some moisture. The easiest way to get a good orchid medium is to buy it pre-mixed from a good nursery.

A larger plant will require more water than a smaller plant in the same sized pot.

Cool temperatures and low light will cause an orchid to need less water.

In very humid conditions orchids need less water. In very dry conditions they will need more. Humidity levels of 50 to 60% are ideal.

Warnings

An orchid will die quickly in a pot saturated in water.

If you use water-soluble fertilizers, salts may build up on the medium or the pot and eventually harm the orchid. Do not use fertilizer with every watering.

An orchid whose leafs look wilted or limp can be suffering from either too much water, which rots the roots and makes water unavailable to the leaves, or it can be too dry. Check by touching the medium before watering.